Senegal has welcomed the Youth Olympic flame as the country prepares to host the first Olympic sporting event staged on the African continent.
Music and traditional dance accompanied the ceremony at Dakar’s Place du Souvenir Africain. One hundred Senegalese women, recognized by the Wolof title “lingeer,” participated in the symbolic procession.
The flame will travel approximately 3,600 kilometres through Senegal’s 14 regions with more than 400 torchbearers before returning to Dakar for the opening ceremony.
About 2,700 athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 are expected to compete in 35 sports. Events will take place in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly from October 31 to November 13.
